"That our belief with regard to earthly
governments and laws in general may not be misinterpreted nor misunderstood, we have thought proper to present, at the close
of this volume, our opinion concerning the same.

"We believe that governments were instituted
of God for the benefit of man, and that he holds men accountable for their acts in relation to them, both in making laws and
administering them for the good and safety of society.

"We believe that no government can exist
in peace, except such laws are framed and held in violate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience,
and the right and control of property, and the protection of life.

"We believe that all governments necessarily
require civil officers and magistrates to enforce the laws of the same, and that such as will administer the law in equity
and justice should be sought for, and upheld by the voice of the people (if a republic,) or the will of the sovereign.

"We believe that religion is instituted
of God, and that men are amenable to Him, and to Him only, for the exercise of it, unless their religious opinions prompt
them to infringe upon the rights and liberties of others; but we do not believe that human law has a right to interfere in
prescribing rules of worship to bind the consciences; of men, or dictate forms for public or private devotion; that the civil
magistrate should restrain crime, but never control conscience; should punish guilt, but never suppress the freedom of the
soul.

"We believe that all men are bound to
sustain and uphold the respective governments in which they reside, while protected in their inherent and inalienable rights
by the laws of such governments; and that sedition and rebellion are unbecoming every citizen thus protected, and should be
punished accordingly; and that all governments have a right to enact such laws as in their own judgments are best calculated
to secure the public interest; at the same time, however, holding sacred the freedom of conscience.

"We believe that every man should be
honored in his station; ruler or magistrate as such—being placed for the protection of the innocent and the punishment
of the guilty; and that to the laws all men owe respect and deference, as without them peace and harmony would he supplanted
by anarchy and terror; human laws being instituted for the express purpose of regulating our interests as individuals and
nations between man and man; and divine laws given of heaven prescribing rules on spiritual concerns, for faith and worship,
both to be answered by man to his Maker.

"We believe that rulers, states, and
governments have a right, and are bound to enact laws for the protection of all citizens in the free exercise of their religious
belief; but we do not believe that they have a right, in justice, to deprive citizens of this privilege, or proscribe them
in their opinions, so long as a regard and reverence are shown to the laws, and such religious opinions do not justify sedition
or conspiracy.

"We believe that the commission of crime
should be punished according to the nature of the offense, that murder, treason, robbery, theft, and the breach of the general
peace, in all respects, should be punished according to their criminality, and their tendency to evil among men, by the laws
of that government in which the offense is committed; and for the public peace and tranquility all men should step forward
and use their ability in bringing offenders against good laws to punishment.

"We do not believe it just to mingle
religious influence with civil government, whereby one religious society is fostered and another proscribed in its spiritual
privileges, and the individual rights of its members, as citizens, denied.

"We believe that all religious societies
have a right to deal with their members for disorderly conduct, according to the rules and regulations of such societies;
provided that such dealings be for fellowship and good standing; but we do not believe that any religious society has authority
to try men on the right of property or life, to take from them this world's goods, or to put them in jeopardy of either life
or limb; or to inflict any physical punishment upon them; they can only excommunicate them from their society, and withdraw
from them their fellowship.

"We believe that men should appeal to
the civil law for redress of all wrongs and grievances where personal abuse is inflicted, or the right of property or character
infringed, where such laws exist as will protect the same; but we believe that all men are justified in defending themselves,
their friends and property, and the government from the unlawful assaults and encroachments of all persons in times of exigency
when immediate appeal cannot be made to the laws, and relief afforded.

"We believe it just to preach the Gospel
to the nations of the earth, and warn the righteous to save themselves from the corruption of the world; but we do not believe
it right to interfere with bond servants; neither preach the Gospel to, nor baptize them contrary to the will and wish of
their masters; nor to meddle with or influence them in the least to cause them to be dissatisfied with their situations in
this life, thereby jeopardizing the lives of men; such interference we believe to be unlawful, and unjust, and dangerous to
the peace of every government allowing human beings to be held in servitude."